What is a Tie Dimple?
Last updated 2026-06-15
The dimple is often cited as the single detail that separates a well-tied tie from a merely adequate one. It creates a subtle valley in the tie's surface just below the knot, catching light differently on each side and giving the tie a sculptural presence rather than a flat, two-dimensional appearance. This small indentation signals that the wearer has paid attention to the craft of tying rather than simply pulling the knot tight and walking away. Creating a dimple requires a specific technique during the final tightening of the knot. As you pull the narrow end to tighten the knot, use the index finger of your other hand to press an indentation into the center of the wide blade just below the knot. Simultaneously, pinch the edges of the tie on either side of the indentation with your thumb and middle finger, creating two raised ridges flanking the central valley. Continue tightening the knot while maintaining this pinch, and the dimple should set into place. Fabric plays a significant role in dimple quality and longevity. Silk ties — particularly those with a generous interlining — hold dimples beautifully because the fabric has enough body to maintain the three-dimensional shape throughout the day. Wool and cashmere ties create softer, subtler dimples that feel appropriate for their more textured aesthetic. Polyester ties resist dimpling because the synthetic fibers lack the natural memory of silk, often causing the dimple to flatten within an hour. The dimple is not universally required. Very narrow or knit ties typically are not dimpled because their construction does not suit the technique. Black-tie bow ties obviously do not receive dimples. And some style traditions — particularly Italian sprezzatura — favor a slightly disheveled, un-dimpled tie that suggests effortlessness over precision. The dimple is a choice that signals deliberate care, and the absence of one can signal deliberate nonchalance.
Menswear blogger Rafael filmed a tutorial on tie dimpling that became his most-watched video, not because the technique was complex but because viewers were genuinely surprised by how much difference one small crease made. He tied the same tie with and without a dimple under identical lighting, and the dimpled version looked noticeably more polished and three-dimensional. His comment section filled with viewers reporting that they had been tying ties for decades without knowing this technique existed and that adding a dimple was the single biggest improvement they had ever made to their dress-shirt outfits.
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Questions, answered.
How do you make a tie dimple that lasts all day?
The key is setting the dimple firmly during the tying process, not trying to add it after the knot is tightened. As you pull the knot snug, press your index finger into the center of the tie just below the knot while pinching the edges upward with your thumb and middle finger. Tighten the knot while maintaining this pressure. Once set, a quality silk tie with good interlining will hold the dimple throughout the day. If the dimple softens by afternoon, you can refresh it by gently re-pinching without untying the knot.
Should you always put a dimple in a tie?
A dimple is appropriate for most standard silk ties in professional and formal settings, where it adds polish and intentionality. Skip the dimple on knit ties, very narrow ties, and heavily textured ties where the construction does not support it. Some men deliberately omit the dimple as part of an intentionally relaxed look — this is a legitimate style choice, not an oversight. The dimple is never mandatory, but knowing how to create one and choosing when to use it demonstrates sartorial literacy.